Omniplex Sunderland reveals £4M upgrade and new luxury cinema concept 'The Avenue'

Omniplex Cinemas, one of the UK and Ireland's largest and fastest-growing cinema chains, has unveiled a stylish new look at its Sunderland venue on Lambton Street following a major £4 million investment to elevate the cinema experience. The transformation includes the launch of The Avenue, a luxury cinema concept making its debut in Great Britain.

Moviegoers at Omniplex Sunderland are set for a treat as they step into a reimagined venue, with the cinema offering tickets from just £4 from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th September 2025*. The celebratory weekend will also feature special anniversary screenings of fan favourites including Jaws, The Breakfast Club and Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.

The Avenue, Omniplex's luxury cinema concept, is located on the first floor and features four intimate private balcony areas, two of which overlook the immersive MAXX screen. It also includes a larger, premium 24-seat space that offers a luxurious setting for date nights, group outings, or simply indulging in an exclusive cinematic escape. This exceptional cinema experience includes plush two-seater sofas, spacious armchairs, footstools, and soft lighting, with gourmet dishes and handcrafted cocktails delivered straight to the seat, all finished with elegant touches that elevate the experience.

In addition to the new concept cinema, film fans will discover a chic new lounge and 12 screens featuring fully reclining seats, including a dedicated screen offering Great Britain's first-ever full sofa bed experience for the ultimate movie comfort. In the new lounge, guests can tuck into tempting treats from Joe's Food Truck, a 23-foot movie-set-style Airstream trailer dishing up giant 24-inch pizzas, crispy fried chicken, mouthwatering burgers, soft drinks, beers, and delicious cocktails.

The extensive renovations enhance Sunderland's already exceptional cinema experience. The 12-screen cinema features one OmniplexMAXX screen - the chain's premium large format, complete with luxurious recliner seating and sofa beds, offering even more opportunities for film fans to immerse themselves in the biggest blockbusters.

Speaking about the announcement, Paul John Anderson, Director of Omniplex Cinemas said:"We're incredibly proud to reveal the new Omniplex Sunderland, following a £4 million transformation that brings the very best of modern cinema to the city. From our first-ever full sofa bed screen to the debut of our luxury Avenue concept in Great Britain, every detail has been carefully considered to elevate the experience for our guests. Whether it's enjoying handcrafted cocktails in the lounge or settling into a private balcony seat, we've created something truly special, and we can't wait for the people of Sunderland to experience it."

Speaking about the announcement, Cllr Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that Sunderland is one of the Omniplex sites set to benefit from this multi-million-pound investment drive.

"The work undertaken in the cinema is spectacular.  It is unrecognisable from the place it once was and raises the bar for leisure in Sunderland.  Alongside the ongoing redevelopment of the Sunniside Social leisure complex, and our transforming Riverside Sunderland which has seen a plethora of new venues open their doors, the regeneration we're driving in the heart of the city is creating more and better opportunities for our residents and visitors to enjoy a fantastic lifestyle offer in our city centre."

Omniplex Cinema Group's renovation of its Sunderland location forms part of its £22.5 million nationwide expansion over the past 18 months, which has seen the refurbishment of cinema sites across Great Britain including Wigan and Birmingham.

Omniplex first opened its doors to customers in Ireland in 1991 and has since amassed 365 screens across 45 cinema locations. The cinema group is renowned for offering an elevated cinema and immersive entertainment experience.

*T&Cs apply. A full link to the terms and conditions will be available on the Omniplex Sunderland website.